March 2012 Archives

Catching Up With..

You have to be F A S T to catch up with Boomer Howard Stephen Berg. Yeah, the writer, speaker, product spokesperson and frequent talk show guest has a lot on his plate. But, that's not the only reason.

DVDelicious

Politics is the only blood sport I enjoy. There's nothing better than two, or in the case of the primaries - 5, or even 8 - candidates matching wits with each other. George Clooney's, The Ides of March, perfectly captures the blood-sport world of politics with a style, humor and intelligence wrapped up in a story that will keep you guessing until the credits roll.

Don't Try This At Home

Charlotte has this theory that women of a certain age are somehow "invisible". Not Claude-Rains-invisible, but "HEY I'M STANDING IN LINE HERE. DO YOU THINK YOU COULD HELP ME?" invisible.

For the longest time, I've ignored listened intently as she described one experience after another. This week it's the 20-somethings at Banana Republic. Next week it's Ann Taylor. The week after that it's a server at a restaurant. Stuff like this happens often enough, you're gonna get a complex. Or, maybe just tell me. Either way, I'm good.

At least I was good, until IT HAPPENED TO ME.

That's right Boomerverse. Now I'M invisible, too. Here's the deal.

I went to the bank to make a deposit one morning last week. It was one of those inside-the-grocery-store branches with a name that rhymes with Wells Fargo (Ooops). I'm standing in line patiently waiting my turn, when I realize the math isn't right.

There are 4 tellers and 1 customer. The 1 customer was cashing a check (easy transaction) so it left 3 tellers to do...? My rocket scientist brain sprang into action and figured it out.

The other 3 tellers were divided up like this: * One female teller flirting with a male teller * Two female tellers eavesdropping on the flirt-fest while trying to be inconspicuous and avoid looking at any customers (by now there were 2 of us invisible people) standing in line

Lasers. Fillers. Facial Peels. With birthday 55 coming up, I could use MAJOR help perking up my skin. After all, I'd like to keep that I'm-afraid-it's-inevitable face lift off my Bucket List as long as possible.

But wouldn't it be nice to find a natural path to better skin? The folks at Clairvoyant Beauty want to help some lucky Boomer Babes do just that. They've joined us to give away two of their popular Skincare Essentials Kits (each an almost $250 value).

You could win Clairvoyant Beauty's Skincare Essentials Kit, a sensational six-step system to a naturally beautiful complexion:

Detoxifying Clay Cleanser with the anti-aging nutrient DMAE

Simply Rosewater Toner

Nourishing Meadowfoam Facial Serum

Gentle & Healing Rosewater Eye Cream

Exfoliating AHA Scrub

Skin Rejuvenating AHA Cream

We're giving away two of these approximately $250-value prizes, which are Clairvoyant creator Lexie Masterson's personal prescription to better skin.

Here's the Dish

Chicken Spaghetti is a go-to dish at our house. Our long-time friend, neighbor and fellow Boomer Shelley Tyler turned me on to this yummy casserole. She got the recipe while on a ski vacation with her family, and has been perfecting it for almost two decades (though you'd never guess it to look at her!).

Daily Distraction

Don't Try This At Home

Remember that old TV series about the New York lawyer who moves to "Hooterville"? (how did they get away with that name in the 1960's?) Well, now that we've finally had some rain down at the ranch I think of Green Acres every time I go down there.

In the Mirror

Orange tops my list of must-have spring shades.Besides being 2012's color of the year, it's fun, full of life and packs some heat. That's why I had to have Hidden Reef, the simply gorgeous shimmering coral nail polish that's part of SpaRitual's new Water collection.

DVDelicious

Marilyn Monroe is arguably one of the most iconic figures of the 20th Century. Director Simon Curtis', My Week with Marilyn, pulls back the curtain on the Hollywood legend to reveal the Marilyn known only to her inner circle. It's a captivating behind-the-scenes story told with humor and heart that keeps your eyes glued to the screen until the credits roll.

Guest Room

One major advantage of being a seasoned Boomer is that you know the routine by now. You set a new goal - or goals -- you feel passionate about. You're filled to the brim with a newfound sense that you really, positively will change your life this time.

Don't Try This At Home

Remember the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day? You know the one where Murray plays a TV weatherman who is doomed to reliving the same day (Groundhog Day) over and over again?

Well, this just in...IT'S NOT FICTION.

I'm in a sequel to the movie right now. It's called BP Day. Lemme 'splain.

Waaaaaaay back in July 2010 we filed a claim with British Petroleum for damages related to the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill. You remember that don't you? It's what they now refer to as the WORST ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER IN U.S. HISTORY. The one we told you about here and here and yeah, here.

This Is How The Beach Looks in 2012 - Gorgeous!

After filling out the form - providing three years of tax returns - property deed - business owner's license and three years of income statements, we finally had the documents we needed to file the "official" claim.BP - true to its word - DID pay us a modest "interim" payment. They ALSO promised to review our remaining claim and reach a final settlement.

None of this was great, but at least we were paid something and we had an actual "person" assigned to our claim. Then the s**t hit the fan tar hit the sand, because that's when the Federal Government looked at how well BP was handling things and said, "Dude, we got it from here."

Oh, no they didn't.

They replaced BP's 12-page claim form with a 27-page form. They fired-relocated-sent-to-a-bureaucrat-reeducation-camp most of the BP claims adjusters. They offered all the folks with damage claims a FINAL SETTLEMENT OFFER. This is the sign-here-and-agree-not-to-sue-us-forever-and-ever-and-we'll-give-you-pennies-on-the-dollar deal.

A genteel Southern belle must summon all her strength to survive a family crisis in investment administrator-turned-author Taylor M. Polites' The Rebel Wife (Simon & Schuster; February 2012). Set in Reconstruction-era Alabama, this suspense-filled story revolves around Augusta (Gus) Sedlaw Branson, who we first meet as a delicate lady accustomed to a privileged life.

For the past 10 years, Gus has been trapped in a loveless, though lucrative marriage to Eli Branson, an influential businessmen 25 years her senior. The arrangement was the only way the girl could guarantee an income for her once-wealthy family, which was impoverished by the Civil War.

After losing Eli to a mysterious plague, Gus is shocked to learn she's practically penniless. Secretly cash-strapped and hip-deep in shady business deals, Eli has left her and their young son Henry with little more than debts.

Set in Reconstruction-era Alabama, The Rebel Wife is a captivating story of Southern belle Augusta (Gus) Sedlaw Branson, her controlling family and their former slaves. When her husband's death changes her fortunes, Gus finds rebuilding life for her young son will require solving long-held secrets, letting go of convention and forging surprising alliances.

Don't Try This At Home

Charlotte and I ran across this fat feline on our trip to Napa Valley. This chubby cat was sunning himself on the steps leading up to Chateau Montelena and the back lighting made him look like he was posing for a movie publicity photo.

In the Mirror

I walk a fine line when it comes to face creams. Being almost 55 (it's not April yet!) means I need a seriously strong wrinkle fighter and all the hydration I can get. But my sensitive skin tends to rebel if pushed too far.

DVDelicious

If you know anything at all about 50/50, you probably know that it's a movie about cancer. What you probably DON'T know is that it's also laugh-your-ass-off funny, based on a true story and has more Oscar-worthy performances than you can count.

Guest Room

By Laura Cipullo and Lisa Mikus, authors of Everyday Diabetes Meals

Image credit: Colin Erricson

Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.

Tips:

If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.

If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.

Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.

Playing Favorites

It's been almost 18 years since Alison Krauss gave us a solo album, but the wait is over with Windy City. The release (her fifth solo studio album) features ten covers of classic songs (and some bonus tracks) she picked with producer Buddy Cannon.